Derek MacKinnon of Washington Township, James Murphy of Scotch Plains and Modou Sowe of Harrison were all selected as National All-Americans by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America on Tuesday. The players were selected as New Jersey's three All-Americans by the Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey.

The trio will be recognized during January's NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia.

Below are profiles of the three honorees:

Derek MacKinnon, Washington Township

This junior midfielder scored a school-record 27 goals and added nine assists to lead Washington Township to a 25-1 record. MacKinnon was dominant in Washington Township's first ever South Jersey Coaches Association Tournament title as he had eight goals and three assists in four tournament games. In the final against Timber Creek, he had two goals and an assist in a 3-1 victory. Overall, MacKinnon had eight multi-goal games. Washington Township's only loss was a 1-0 defeat to Clearview in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4 final, a game MacKinnon missed due to a knee injury.

Coach Shane Snyder on MacKinnon:

"He caught his stride in the middle of the year. He didn't score in his first three games, but then he got a hat trick in the fourth game and he didn't stop scoring until he got hurt. He set the school record for the number of goals in a season. He was on fire. He created a lot of chances and he finished a lot of those chances. It was impressive to watch and people that came out to see us play would ask me 'Whose #10?' He enjoyed a great season. He scored goals in a variety of ways. It was impressive and it was a lot of fun to watch.

James Murphy, Scotch Plains

This sophomore midfielder had 22 goals, 18 assists to lead Scotch Plains to a 17-5-1 record and a third-straight Union County Tournament championship. In the semifinals against Westfield, Murphy scored the game-winning goal on a free kick in double-overtime. He added a goal in the final against Elizabeth. One of the most dangerous players in the state on free and corner kicks, he had six multi-goal games this season and he led the Union County Conference Watchung Division in goals and assists.

Coach Tom Breznitsky on Murphy

"James is a player who has the maturity level that you would expect to see in a senior as far as the game is concerned. He plays at a different level. His skills are without question, some of the best that there are. His decision making process is just outstanding for someone who is only a sophomore. He plays balls across the field with a purpose and drops them on a dime on a player's foot, which is somewhat of a rarity in a player. He's the real deal."

Modou Sowe, Harrison

One of the most versatile players in the state, this senior center back had 19 goals and six assists to lead Harrison to a 22-1-1 record and Hudson County Tournament and NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 championships. Sowe's 6-3 height and leaping ability allowed him to dominate on balls in the air - both on offense and defense. He anchored a Harrison defense which posted 19 shutouts, eight in the county and state playoffs, and allowed just nine goals all season. Sowe had six multi-goal games, including two in the state playoffs.

Coach Mike Rusek on Sowe

"He's the first All-American I've ever coached. We've had some very good players in Harrison, but none of them have ever made it to the level he's at. The past two years, he's gotten around 20 goals and he probably hasn't even played one-third of that time as a forward. We really feel like if we played him as a forward, he would have scored 30 goals each year. It's just very rare to have an athletic, physical, defender that also has the skill he has. For a 6-3 guy to bring the ball down and dribble, that's a difficult thing. He's very smooth with the soccer ball at his feet."